CSS Pakistan Affairs | Pakistan’s Cultural Heritage as a Tool of Soft Power
The following question of CSS Current Affairs is solved by Arooj Sarwar under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Overview of the Cultural Heritage of Pakistan
3-Pakistan’s cultural heritage as a tool of soft power utilized to improve international image and bilateral relations
- ✓Improving tourist destinations to attract foreigners
- ✓Opening up borders for cultural and religious heritages to spread the message of co-existence
- ✓Initiating cultural exchange programs to show a peaceful side of Pakistan
- ✓Revitalising sports and collaborating with foreign players to present cooperation
- ✓Translating Pakistani dramas into multiple languages to aware people of Pakistan’s culture
- ✓Promoting the national language at an international forum to introduce Pakistan’s literature
- ✓Using social media platforms to showcase the cultural diversity in Pakistan
4-Critical analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Cultural heritage is an asset and pride of people towards their countries. It represents the firm basis of ancient people and how they have survived and reached the peak of success with constant efforts and struggle. It is an expression of ways of living developed by groups of people and passed from generation to generation, which includes customs, places, values, objects, and art. Likewise, Pakistan’s cultural heritage is also a source of inspiration and pride, which can lead towards the progress of a nation if it can be utilised in the right direction. No doubt, countries which have focused not only on economic and military success but also on diversifying their cultural heritages, sharing architecture, music, and arts with other nations, and opening up their borders for the exploration of mountains and landscapes have developed soft images and managed to get bilateral relations with other countries.
An Overview of the Cultural Heritage of Pakistan
Cultural heritage is the legacy inherited from generation to generation. It comprises values, beliefs, customs, places, arts, music, and archaeological heritages. The cultural heritage of Pakistan is based on Islam, which is simple and has firm convictions. Further, it is rich with archaeological heritages, such as Moen-jo-Daro and Harappa, which describe the living styles of ancient people and showcase their struggle to survive. Moreover, Pakistan has famous buildings representing architectural beauty, like Badshahi mosque, Jahangir Tomb, and Shalimar Garden. Taking into account the importance of Cultural Heritage, it can be utilized as a source of collaboration with other countries by sharing experiences of architectural beauty, art, music, and literature. It would not only present the positive side of a country, but it would also attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and generate revenue by sharing cultural heritages with other countries. Thus, Pakistan can also utilize its heritage as an asset and achieve success in multiple fields to drive its economy.
Pakistan’s Cultural Heritage as a Tool of Soft Power Utilized to Improve International Image and Bilateral Relations
After analysing the concept of cultural heritage, it is pertinent to discuss the elements of the cultural heritage of Pakistan from where it can display its positive image before the whole world. Opening up borders for visiting religious places, improving tourist destinations, introducing cultural exchange programmes, revitalizing sports, and promoting the Urdu language and literature are significant steps that should be taken to establish bilateral relations and improve the soft image of Pakistan.
- ✓ Improving the Tourist Destination to Attract Foreigners
First of all, Pakistan should work on the infrastructure of its tourist destinations to provide maximum benefits to its tourists, which would ultimately enhance the soft Image of Pakistan along with the opportunities for economic cooperation. In this regard, the Ministry of Commerce has taken the initiative in the form of “Emerging Pakistan”. Through this initiative, the government of Pakistan has interacted with investors, individuals, businesses, and importers to invest in the potential areas of Pakistan, like art, music, and tourism. Similarly, Pakistan needs to take such initiatives more often to showcase its cultural heritage and present its soft image by attracting foreign tourists.
- ✓Opening Up Borders for Cultural and Religious Heritages to Spread the Message of Co-Existence
Another greater initiative Pakistan should take into account is to open its border for the visit and exploration of religious and cultural heritages situated in Pakistan. To illustrate, the Kartarpur Sahib is the most significant place for Sikhs living in India or other countries. Opening borders for Sikhs to visit their noble darbar would present the soft image of Pakistan across the world. Moreover, there would be multiple opportunities for Pakistan to establish bilateral relations with India on good terms. Hence, like Kartarpur sahib, multiple religious heritages are game changers for Pakistan’s improving status.
- ✓Initiating Cultural Exchange Programs to Show a Peaceful Side of Pakistan
Further, Pakistan should start cultural exchange programmes where students from multiple countries could enrol themselves in the universities of Pakistan and learn about Pakistani people’s living styles, customs, and values. Moreover, Pakistan’s students can also enrol themselves in foreign Universities to represent their country. For example, Government-sponsored and funded scholarships, such as the Fulbright, British Marshall programme, and many more require students to view themselves as cultural ambassadors by participating in multiple seminars and games to represent their countries. In this way, the perception that has been made by the media about Pakistan could be shattered, and the positive and peaceful side of the country would flourish.
- ✓Revitalising Sports and Collaborating with Foreign Players to Present Cooperation
Moreover, sports have the potential to gather people under one roof no matter whether they are black or white, Muslims or non-Muslims. It connects people all around the world. Nelson Mandela beautifully portrayed the importance of sports in the words, “Sports has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else… it is an instrument of peace.” Therefore, Pakistan should introduce more games like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where players from different countries are invited to play on behalf of Pakistan. Undoubtedly, such initiatives would bring Pakistan to the spotlight and highlight the cooperative side of the country.
- ✓Translating Pakistani Dramas Into Multiple Languages to Aware People of Pakistan’s Culture
Moving forward, Pakistan can also fetch bilateral relations with other countries by translating their dramas into multiple languages, like Turkish, English, and Arabic. It is, no doubt, the fastest means of introducing one’s cultural basis and soft image through cinema and television. It will not only attract a large public but also benefit economically. It is evident from a famous Turkish drama serial, “Kurulus Osman”, which was the mirror image of Turkish cultural heritage. It was later on translated into Urdu as it was liked by many people. Similarly, Pakistan should portray its soft image by making dramas that depicts its culture and deep-rooted Islamic values.
- ✓Promoting the National Language at an International Forum to Introduce Pakistan’s Literature
Other than translating dramas, Pakistan can also took leverage of its rich literature that has been the identity of Pakistan’s people from decades. The translation of diverse literature would help Pakistan to present its positive side at international forums as many people are fond of reading literature of countries to know more about their roots, lifestyles, values, and customs. To elaborate, a Mehfil-e-Mushaira was organized in the embassy in Italy, where more than 10 poets were gathered to recite poems in Urdu and Punjabi. It captivated the audience with the mesmerizing topics of the poem. Hence, Pakistan can conduct such programmes on national and international platforms to introduce the soft image of the country.
- ✓Using Social Media Platforms to Showcase the Cultural Diversity in Pakistan
Last but not least, social media can play a vital role in portraying the positive image of Pakistan through cultural representation. Like other countries, Pakistan could take the initiative to make videos and documentaries on its cultural heritage, ranging from multiple civilizations to diverse architecture in the form of buildings. It will help clear the perceptions made by the media. In this regard, a renowned television, “Discover Pakistan” broadcasts documentaries and showcases positive developments in Pakistan. Thus, by taking similar actions, Pakistan would persuade the world of its positive side and can become a tourist hub soon because of its diverse cultural heritage.
Critical Analysis
To evaluate critically, the role of cultural heritage as an effective tool of soft power cannot be denied. It is, undoubtedly, a persuasive power to attract people and showcase the soft side of a country. Similarly, Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage has presented itself as a strong backbone, for the country can utilize the leverage it holds and clear its negative image spread by the propaganda of the media. Therefore, the multiple features of the cultural heritage of Pakistan have the potential to fetch bilateral relations with other countries by improving tourist destinations, opening up borders for religious groups, initiating cultural exchange programmes, and promoting the national language on international platforms.
Conclusion
To sum up the whole debate, cultural heritage is a pride and an asset for people from their ancestors. It includes values, customs, music, art, sports, architecture, and famous places. When these factors are utilized by the government, it brings prosperity to the nation. To elaborate, significant measures, such as initiating cultural exchange programmes, revitalizing sports by collaborating with multiple countries, and promoting national language and literature, can help bring a positive side of Pakistan to international platforms and would compel countries to work with the country. Hence, cultural heritage has the potential to improve the status of Pakistan and lead the country towards economic prosperity.
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